San Jose Police Investigating Officer Involved Shooting from 3/17/17

On Friday, March 17, 2017, at approximately 1:34 PM, San Jose police officers responded to the area of Eva Ct. and Valerie Dr. on a call of a “naked male walking in the street.” The suspect approached a female and a child and was running after children in the area.

When officers arrived on scene, the suspect entered a pick-up truck. The lone suspect backed out of Eva Ct. and struck a parked car and a patrol vehicle.

Officers pursued the suspect for approximately 4 miles. During the pursuit, the suspect was involved in multiple vehicle collisions. Eventually, the suspect’s truck entered the driveway of the shopping center parking lot, located on Stevens Creek Blvd. and Lawrence Expressway.

The suspect vehicle came to a stop and multiple officers gave the suspect commands in attempt to take him into custody. The suspect did not comply with commands and aimed what appeared to be a weapon at the officers, and one officer fired at the suspect. The suspect then revved the engine and appeared to be trying to drive the vehicle into the parking lot. Additional officers fired their weapons at the suspect out of fear that he was going to enter the crowded parking lot and strike innocent people. A total of three officers fired at the suspect striking him several times.

The suspect was taken into custody and transported to a local hospital where he is listed in critical condition. No officers or citizens were injured in the incident. The investigation revealed that the item that appeared to be a weapon which the suspect pointed at officers was in fact a caulking gun.

The officers’ body-worn cameras footage is being reviewed as part of the investigation.

All three officers were placed on routine paid administrative leave. The Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office and the San Jose Police Department’s Homicide Unit are conducting a joint criminal investigation.

The case is being monitored by the San Jose Police Department’s Internal Affairs Unit, the City Attorney’s Office, and the Office of the Independent Police Auditor.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Sergeant Mike Montonye or Detective Jason Tanner of the San Jose Police Department’s Homicide Unit at 408-277-5283.